Mitsubishi Motors is without a doubt one of the biggest automotive companies and is an instantly recognizable brand just about anywhere in the world. One of many divisions of the larger Mitsubishi brand, Mitsubishi Motors remains one of the most important subsidiaries that bears the name. At times it’s interesting to go back and look at where big companies originated and how they got to be what they are today. Let’s take a look at the rich history of Mitsubishi Motors dating back to 1917.

The Mitsubishi company had been set up as a shipping specialist in 1870, operating in Toyko and soon diversifying out into other areas including coal mining and iron-milling. Closer to the turn of the century, the company had set itself up as an industry leading in a number of fields in manufacturing and commerce from steel and glass to banking and insurance. The rise of the company during this period was quite profound, to say the least.

It wasn’t until 1917 that the company produced its first automobile, the Mitsubishi Model A. Looking back, the move into the automotive industry seemed inevitable with the company already active in related fields of production. There were a total of 22 Mitsubishi Model A vehicles built, all of which were handmade. Given the high costs of production compared to the competition, it was discontinued after just 4 years. In 1937 the company produced a four-wheel drive passenger sedan, but it wasn’t until well after the second world war (which took its toll on Japanese industry) that the company found its niche.

The mass-market sedan Mitsubishi 500 was released in 1953, a time when wages were rising and demand for family motor vehicles was on the rise. Over the next 11 years, two other vehicles were produced including Minica kei car, Colt 1000 and the Mitsubishi Debonair, a larger luxury car. Within a few years, demand was extremely high with 70,000 vehicles being produced annually. The success continued with the various model being introduced until 1969 when the larger Mitsubishi company decided that a division that focused solely on the automotive industry should be created – and Mitsubishi Motors was officially born.

It’s quite an origin story and some may be surprised by just how old the Mitsubishi brand is. In fact, the logo that we all know so well today was put together around 1870, well before Mitsubishi Motors was made official. If you’re in the market for a vehicle or want to find out more about the Mitsubishi story, feel free to contact the friendly team at Chadstone Mitsubishi.

In this day and age, there’s no denying that it can be quite costly to keep a car on the road. There’s the car’s true cost, fuel, registration and regular servicing, not to mention changing any parts that may need replacing down the road. Whether you’re driving a Mitsubishi or any other brand of car, it’s well worthwhile to take car of your car from day one as best you can. It’s a fact that good maintenance will keep your car in working order for longer. It will also save you money in the long run and keep you safer on the road too. Let’s take a look at 5 essential car care tips.

Check the oil regularly

It’s something that only takes a couple of minutes, but it can’t be understated how important checking and changing oil is. Oil is responsible for keeping the engine well lubricated and cool, without which you’re going to have some real problems!

Keep it clean

If you value the cosmetic appearance of your vehicle, washing it weekly or fortnightly is a good idea. A build-up of dirt, salt and grime can potentially damage the exterior if left alone. It’s also a good idea to keep the underside as clean as possible. For new cars, you should consider applying wax every half year if possible; this keeps the paint in good health.

Park in the shade

When talking in the long term, the sun and rain can damage the exterior of your car as well. Preferably, you’ll want to avoid parking it in the street; if you have a garage or carport your car will be much better off. The paint, leather and other materials can easily be damaged by the sun, so any way you can reduce the impact is well worthy of your time.

Flush out the coolant yearly

The car’s cooling system is what circulates coolant around the engine and keeps it cool. Usually, it’s made up of 50% distilled water and 50% coolant and it prevents corrosion is it is changed regularly. Without it operating as it should, the engine is likely to overheat and potential even seize up, which, in many cases, means the end of it. Doing so will also reveal any bursts in the system that may be leaking coolant.

Service your car regularly

For the basic car servicing things, you can usually take care by yourself. But it’s of utmost importance that you have a professional inspect your vehicle every few thousand kilometers. How regularly you will need it serviced will vary from car to car, depending on age and other factors. Find yourself a good, trusty mechanic and your car will be in safe hands.